IRS Discontinues Direct File Tax Service for 2026 Filing Season
By
jhatax
6mo ago· 3 min readenNews
90/100
Golden Brown
Bagelometer↗
Hot, fresh, and worth queueing round the block for.
Score90TypenewsSentimentneutral
Summary
The IRS has informed 25 states that the Direct File program, a free government tax filing service that was piloted in 2024 and 2025, will not be available for the 2026 tax filing season. The program was used by hundreds of thousands of taxpayers who gave it positive feedback, but faced opposition from tax preparation companies and Republican lawmakers. The IRS thanked states for their collaboration but indicated the program won't continue next year.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe IRS has notified states that offered the free, government tax filing service known as Direct File in 2025 that the program won't be available next filing season.
In an email sent from the IRS to 25 states, the tax agency thanked them for collaborating and not
The free service that allowed taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS was used by hundreds of thousands of taxpayers in 2024 and 2025, who gave it high marks — although tax prep companies and Republicans have sought its end.
The free service that allowed taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS was used by hundreds of thousands of taxpayers in 2024 and 2025, who gave it high marks — although tax prep companies and Republicans have sought its end.
